Affordable and reliable transportation is a necessity for a strong
economy in every community. Public transit in dense areas with housing
and employment opportunities can serve a large population. Yet transit
must be part of a larger menu of options because it does not serve all
areas or all workers.
Eighty-eight percent of
all people drive to work, while only about 5 percent use public
transit. Private vehicle ownership for low-wage workers is an important
factor in a strong economy and an inclusive society and has significant
benefits for individuals and families. Cars ensure more people can
fully contribute to the local economy because vehicle ownership
increases employment opportunities, hours worked, and income.
The
Seattle Car Ownership and Financing Roundtable will bring together
researchers, policymakers, consumer educators, and community activists
to share information regarding evidence and research on these issues.
We will also discuss the goal of developing better information about
how to create public and political will to address this issue. We want
to identify promising practices to highlight, discuss barriers to
better policy and practice, and share ideas for new initiatives and
policy.
Keys to Opportunity: Car Ownership and Financing
Seattle University Law School
Seattle, Washington
October 3, 2008
Agenda
Informal Welcome & Video 9:30-9:45
Pursuit of the Dream
Opening 9:45-10:00
Meeting Goals and Introductions
Susan Crane, Port Jobs, Margy Waller, The Mobility Agenda
Session 1: 10:00-10:30
Car Buying 101
Doug Walsh, Washington State Office of the Attorney General
Session 2: 10:30-11:30
Defining the Issue
Moderator: Susan Kelleher, The Seattle Times
• Access to cars for a strong economy; access to driving in Seattle, Margy Waller, The Mobility Agenda
• Financing options & process, Laurie Stewart, Sound Community Bank
• Consumer experience, Victoria Cherniak, Columbia Legal Services
Session 3: 11:45-12:45
Automobile Insurance, Lunch Provided
• Introduction and Washington context, Michelle Rupp, NRG::Seattle
• California's Low-Cost Automobile Insurance Initiative, Doug Heller, Consumer Watchdog
Session 4: 1:00-2:30
Public Policy and Consumer Education
Moderator: Professor Adamson, Seattle University School of Law
• National and state policy options on auto financing and sales, John Van Alst, National Consumer Law Center
• Economic Justice Project, Nick Straley, Columbia Legal Services
• Consumer education tools, Doug Walsh, Washington State Office of the Attorney General
Closing: 2:30-3:00
Next Steps and Opportunities for Attendees to Get Involved
Resources
Car Financing for Low and Moderate Income Consumers
Remar Sutton, The Consumer Task Force for Automotive Issues
Kirsten Moy, The Aspen Institute
April 2007
High Cost or High Opportunity Cost? Transportation and Family Economic Success
Margy Waller
Brookings Institution
Steer Clear: How Credit Unions Help Car Buyers Avoid Predatory Loans
William Myers
National Credit Union Foundation and The Aspen Institute
Access to Driving and Employment Data from Ten Cities
The Mobility Agenda
Seattle Data- Access to Driving and Employment Data
The Mobility Agenda
Gaining Traction: How Working Wheels helps Working Families Get Ahead
Port Jobs, 2006
Credit, Collections and Repossession: Dealing with Debts, Collection Agencies, and Repossessions
Washington State Attorney General's Office
Used Car Buying Tips
Consumer Protection Division/Consumer Resource Center
Washington State Attorney General's Office
The Long Journey to Work: A Federal Transportation Policy for Working Families
Evelyn Blumenberg and Margy Waller
Brookings Institution, 2003
California's Low-Cost Automobile Insurance Program
Douglas Heller
Consumer Watchdog
Economic Justice Project Spring 2008 Newsletter
Columbia Legal Services
Economic Justice Project Fall 2007 Newsletter
Columbia Legal Services
Lemon Law- Motor Vehicles Booklet
Washington State Attorney General's Office
Lemon Law - Motor Vehicles
Washington State Attorney General's Office
Ley del “Limón” para Vehículos Automotores
Administración de la Ley Sobre Vehículos Defectuosos
Oficina del Procurador General Rob McKenna
Créditos, Cobranzas, y Recuperación: Tratando con Deudas, Agencias de Cobranzas, y Recuperaciones
Estado de Washington Oficina del Procurador General
Motor Vehicle Lemon Law: Request for Arbitration
Washington State Attorney General's Office
Access to Driving and License Suspension Policies for the Twenty-First Century Economy
Sandra Gustitus, Melody Simmons, and Margy Waller
The Mobility Agenda, 2008